Talks to move an OHL team to Flint are heating up.

IMS USA Inc, a Florida-based manufacturer, has signed a confidentiality agreement with the OHL. The company recently purchased Flint’s Perani Arena as well as Iceland Arena’s two-sheet practice facility. President of IMS Hockey Corporation Costa Papista says they have withdrawn their expansion application for a team in the USHL and are squarely focused on an OHL team.

“We are in very serious talks with the Ontario Hockey League,” says Papista. “Our goal from Day 1, it’s always been our goal, to try and attract the highest caliber hockey organization.” Papista could not divulge timelines for when he thought a deal might get finalized.

The owner of the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers wants to move the team, and had expressed interest in Chatham, but wanted the team located at least an hour away from Detroit so it wouldn’t have to compete for attendance with the Red Wings. Flint is approximately a one-hour drive from Detroit.